In today’s mobile-first world, businesses need flexible and reliable tools to keep up with customer demands and stay competitive.
A mobile POS (point of sale) system enables businesses to take payments on the go, whether at a food truck, market stall, or on the road. With the right mobile POS machine, retailers, service providers, and other mobile businesses can accept card payments from anywhere, creating seamless customer experiences.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand what a mobile POS system is, how it works, and what to consider when choosing the best mobile POS system for your business.
What is a mobile POS (mPOS)?
A mobile POS or mPOS is a portable point of sale system typically used on a smartphone or tablet to take payments and process transactions. With an mPOS terminal, businesses can offer customers various payment methods, including chip and PIN cards, contactless payments, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay. For businesses like food trucks, home services, and market stalls, an mPOS app is an ideal solution to accept payments on the go, enhancing both convenience and profitability.
How does mPOS work?
Using a mobile POS system is simple. Once you choose mobile POS software for your business, you download the app, connect your mPOS terminal to a mobile device, and you’re ready to start taking payments. It’s a fast, convenient solution for businesses that want to process transactions from any location.
Choosing the best mobile POS system for your business
Selecting the best mobile POS for retail or service-based businesses means finding a secure, easy-to-use, and affordable system. Here are the key factors to consider:
Security
Security is crucial for mobile POS payments. A secure mobile POS system is PCI-compliant and provides encrypted transactions for chip and PIN cards, contactless payments, and mobile payments like Apple Pay. For instance, Square’s mPOS solution is designed with security in mind, offering PCI compliance and chargeback protection so businesses can handle disputes confidently.
Simplicity
Ease of use is another key element. The best mobile POS systems offer an intuitive, user-friendly interface that allows employees to get up to speed quickly. Look for a simple system to set up, with easy-to-follow workflows, so you can focus on serving customers rather than training staff.
Affordability
Understanding the costs associated with a mobile POS machine is essential. Hardware costs, transaction fees, and any monthly fees can add up, so it’s important to know exactly what you’re paying for. Square, for example, offers a cost-effective option with no monthly fees, providing transparent transaction rates and no hidden costs.
How Square revolutionised the mPOS industry
Square set out to make mobile payments accessible to all, allowing even small and seasonal businesses to accept card payments. Traditional POS terminals are often bulky and expensive, posing challenges for mobile businesses that operate on a leaner scale. Square’s mobile POS app and hardware provide an affordable, portable solution that helps businesses of all sizes easily and flexibly pay on the go.
Affordable mPOS solutions for any business
With options like Square’s contactless reader for NFC and chip and PIN cards available for just €19 + VAT, small businesses can access professional-grade mobile POS functionality at a low cost. This mobile POS machine pairs seamlessly with your smartphone or tablet, making it a highly portable solution for mobile businesses. Square charges a competitive 1.75% + VAT on contactless and mobile payments, with no monthly fees or commitments.
Getting started with Square’s mPOS
To get started with Square, sign up for a free account and download our free POS app. This mobile POS app is powerful yet user-friendly, making setting up and accepting payments simple. For card-present transactions, you can use the Square Reader, which pairs with your mobile device to accept chip and PIN or contactless payments. This setup ensures your business is prepared to take payments via all popular methods, from keyed-in credit card entries to mobile POS payments like Apple Pay.
A POS that plays nice with others
Square’s mobile POS system integrates beautifully with third-party apps to help you run your entire business on the go or in your back office. Simplify your accounting with Xero. eCommerce integrations are easy with BigCommerce. If you need a custom mPOS, you can work with developers to create a tailored solution for your business using our Point of Sale API.
Is a mobile POS the right solution for your business?
Square’s mobile POS system is ideal for businesses on the go that want to take credit card payments, such as food vans, plumbers, landscape architects, mobile beauty businesses, electricians, removal companies and artisans at craft fairs, among others. Retail mobile POS systems allow you to take payments from virtually anywhere, helping you reach customers wherever they are and improving the overall customer experience.